Best Arcane Tank (3.5e Optimized Character Build)
Introduction[edit]
This aims to be a simple, mage, tank build.
References[edit]
PHB1, Complete Warrior
Game Rule Components[edit]
Spells, Powers, Soulmelds, Stances, etc...[edit]
Items[edit]
Mithril full plate, no matter what price is, just get it.
32 point build character
This can be lv7 AC for this class 20(70%) spell fail chances (not too high, and it will drop soon) don't cast with tower shield, cost only move action to sheat him back, or free action drop if you are in rush, play him smart:)) mithril +1, tower shield +1, Shield (lv. 1 spell, provides deflection bonus to AC),+1 dex, shield spec. AC= 9 + 5 + 4 +1 + 1 +10 = 30 (buff dex to gain aditional +2 to AC) Average HP 45 - 55, with dwarf template 55 - 65
Progression[edit]
Starting Ability Scores (Before Racial Adjustments): STR 14, DEX 12, CON 16, WIS 10, INT 16, cha 8
Race (Templates): Any (dwarf for munchkins)
Starting Racial Traits:
| ECL | Class/HD/LA | Base Attack Bonus |
Saving Throws | Feats | Class Features |
Special | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort | Ref | Will | ||||||
| 1st | Wizard 1 | +0 | +0 | +0 | +2 | weapon focus | 1st lv spellcaster | if human, take and quick draw |
| 2nd | Wizard 2 | +1 | +0 | +0 | +3 | 2nd lv spellcaster | ||
| 3rd | Wizard 3 | +1 | +1 | +1 | +3 | shield specialization, | 3rd lv spellcaster | |
| 4th | Wizard 4 | +2 | +1 | +1 | +4 | 4th lv spellcaster | ||
| 5th | Wizard 4/Fighter 1 | +3 | +3 | +1 | +4 | shield proficiency | proficiency with all weapons and armors | |
| 6th | Wizard 4/Fighter 2 | +4 | +4 | +1 | +4 | quick draw, shield ward | ||
| 7th | Wizard 4/Fighter 2/Spellsword 1 | +5 | +6 | +1 | +6 | -10% arcane spell fail chance | +1 of spellcasting level | |
Other Components[edit]
Class now on build itself, go for spellsword and max him, after that take some good mage prestiege, or go on with standard mage.
Highlights[edit]
Alot benefits, you can be in full palate and act like tank, use some stackable buffs, and have like 30AC at early levels with very low chances of arcane spell failure, few more levels of spellsword and you ignore spell failure from full mithril plate. Your caster level is a bit dumb, but you can be extream good buffer, utility,and (with well prepared spells) range DPS.
Munchkin-Size Me[edit]
Get all stats high, since this build use most of them, and you will be awesome. You also may find out that spiked chain is funny, just add it to build instead quick draw.
Side Notes[edit]
Go for tower shield and bastard sword. If caught by suprise use him two-handed and retreat. Othervise follow those steps: any kind of stackable magic protection (mage armor etc), buff your con/str/dex or (if enemyes are far away) unleash hell on them, last before entering combant should be draging your tower shield and go melee, with good TH bonus and strenght you will be a decent melee fighter able to sustain alot of hits, and dodge even more of them. One you have netered melee forget about spellcasting, use your spell only for range target, it's risky to remove tower shield.
Limitations[edit]
if your start gold can afford full mithir plate, or if you can get one.
DM Counters[edit]
Don't allow dwarf to keep [their] hp low, poor reflex saves makes them vulnerable to fireball; but he can sustain few of them.
Miscellaneous[edit]
Level it only to lv 5, almost all spell, with decent spell-casting :)
CORRECTION: YOU CAN'T TAKE SHIELD SPECIALIZATION WITHOUT SHIELD PROFICIENCY!
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